True total of British Gas job losses stands at 1,100, says union

The union representing the energy sector has slammed British Gas for adding to the nation’s job seekers and says the figure is just the tip of the iceberg.

Mike Jeram, UNISON’s Head of Business and Environment, said the true total stands at more than 1,100: “This is seriously bad news on the day that the latest unemployment figures are announced and we learn that more than one million young people are now desperate for jobs. These 850 job losses come on top of the 270 British Gas is making in other business streams.”

The union boss expressed concern British Gas customers might suffer in the long term and said they’d be sure to keep on the energy giants back over maintaining standards.

Mr Jeram said: “British Gas claims these cuts won’t harm customer service, but we will challenge them very hard to demonstrate exactly how they will guarantee to maintain decent levels of service, while axing this number of staff. In the face of recent price increases, customers will be very sceptical about the company’s claims that standards won’t be hit.”